Maharashtra records 6,281 Covid-19 cases; highest spike in Mumbai since December – Hindustan Times

For the second consecutive day, Maharashtra reported more than 6,000 new Coronavirus cases — after a gap of more than three months — indicating a worrying situation for the state. The state on Saturday reported 6,281 fresh Covid-19 cases, a little higher than Friday. Mumbai, on the other hand, recorded 897 new covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike in infections since December.

On Friday, the number of fresh cases in Maharashtra was 6,112. On Thursday, it was 5,427 and on Wednesday, the single-day spike was at 4,787. Wednesday’s tally put the state on an alert as that figure was the highest in the last 70 days. On December 9, Maharashtra had registered 4,981 cases following which the single-day number of cases started to come down. But as the upward trend is continuing for days and the trajectory is only moving upwards, the rise can’t be dismissed as a stray occurrence.

BMC seals more than 1,300 buildings as Covid-19 cases continue to surge in Mumbai

With 6,281 new cases on Saturday, the caseload in the state rose to 2,093,913, while 40 fatalities took the death toll to 51,753.

Mumbai on Friday reported 823 new Covid-19 cases, which was the highest single-day spike since December. But Saturday’s number broke that record as the city reported near 900 fresh cases on Saturday. At the beginning of the week, Mumbai’s daily Covid-19 count was below 500. Since Wednesday, the count crossed the 700-mark.

The sudden spike in fresh infections in Maharashtra is being primarily attributed to two factors: the reopening, including that of the Mumbai local trains, and the mutant strain found in districts like Akola, Satara, Amravati etc. While a weekend lockdown has been imposed in Amravati and Akola, Yavatmal is under a 10-day lockdown, which started last Thursday.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had earlier ruled out any reimposition of restrictions in Mumbai, though the city has been brought under strong surveillance.

The civic body on Saturday sealed 1,305 buildings from where 2,749 cases were reported in the last few days. Any buildings with more than five Covid-19 patients will be sealed, BMC said in its new guidelines.

Though the resumption of Mumbai locals is being seen as a major contributor to the Covid-19 cases, the authorities have not yet taken any decision on whether to restrict its timing. Around 300 marshals have been deployed to keep an eye on the passengers.

With the surge in Covid-19 cases, Maharashtra is once again reporting the highest number of daily cases, surpassing Kerala.